Hand warmer with viewing window for media device

ABSTRACT

A hand warmer is provided with a viewing window that allows a media device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, music player, or gaming device to be viewed and manipulated by a user while the user holds the media device with one or both hands within the hand warmer. The user is thus able to keep his or her hands and the media device warm and dry and otherwise protected from the elements while operating the media device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofprovisional application Ser. No. 61/217,487 filed Jun. 2, 2009, thecontents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by thisreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand muffs and other types of handwarmers.

Hand warmers such as hand muffs and pockets on pullover sweatshirts arecommonly used in cold weather to keep an individual's hands warm andotherwise protected from the cold temperatures and other inclementweather conditions. Hand-held media devices, such as cell phones,personal digital assistants, music players, and gaming devices, arefrequently used outdoors. The user, however, may limit the outdoor usageof the device in cold or other inclement weather conditions for fear ofexposing the device to the cold temperatures or moisture which maydamage the device and/or because the user wishes to protect his or herhands from such conditions.

A need has thus developed for a way to allow a user of a hand-held mediadevice to readily use the media device during inclement weatherconditions without removing his or her hands from the hand warmer sothat the individual's hands and the media device are protected fromexposure to the inclement weather conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a hand warmer comprisinga tubular body which defines an interior region and a viewing windowpositioned in the tubular body at a location intermediate the oppositeends of the tubular body. The tubular body has spaced-apart openingsthat allow for the insertion of the hands of a user into the interiorregion. The viewing window is formed of a layer of material which hassufficient transparency to allow the viewing of the interior volumethrough the viewing window. The tubular body is formed of one or morelayers of fabric material which insulate the interior region againstentry of cold air and/or moisture. A media device may be inserted intothe interior region through one or both of the openings in the tubularbody. The viewing window allows the user to view and manipulate themedia device while holding it in one or both hands in the interiorregion within the tubular body of the hand warmer. The user is thus ableto keep his or her hands and the media device warm and dry and otherwiseprotected from the elements while operating the media device.

In one embodiment, a perimeter portion of the viewing window isreleasably secured to the tubular body of the hand warmer by a fastener,such as a hook and loop fastener, which allows the viewing window to beremoved and replaced if damaged or if the hand warmer is to be washed orotherwise subjected to a process that might damage the viewing window.In another embodiment, the viewing window is sewn or otherwisepermanently attached to the tubular body of the hand warmer.

The hand warmer may be in various forms, such as a hand muff or a pocketformed in a pullover sweatshirt. When formed as a hand muff, the handwarmer may include a belt which allows the hand warmer to be worn aboutthe waist of the user. Cuffs may be provided at the openings in thetubular body of the hand warmer to seal against the user's wrists orforearms to impede entry of cold air or moisture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are usedto indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a hand warmer constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention and a mediadevice positioned within the hand warmer, with broken lines showingfragmental portions of a user of the hand warmer;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hand warmer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the hand warmer similar to thatshown in FIG. 2, but showing the media device stored within a pocketwithin the hand warmer, portions of the pocket being broken away toshown the location of the media device;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hand warmer shown inFIG. 1 with portions broken away to show details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the hand warmer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a hand warmer constructed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the hand warmershown in FIG. 6, with the viewing window shown partially detached fromthe body of the hand warmer; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand warmer shown in FIG.6 and illustrating the attachment of the viewing window to the surroundbody portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and initially to FIGS.1-2, a first embodiment of a hand warmer of the present invention isrepresented broadly by the numeral 10. Hand warmer 10 comprises atubular body 12 having opposite ends 14 and 16 which are constructed todefine spaced-apart openings 18 and 20, respectively. The openings 18and 20 do not necessarily need to be positioned at the opposite ends 14and 16, but may instead be positioned at other spaced-apart locationsalong the tubular body 12. Cuffs 22 and 24 may be formed surrounding theopenings 18 and 20 to closely conform to the wrists or forearms 26 and28 of the user 30 of the hand warmer 10. The cuffs 22 and 24 may includean elastic band (not shown) to facilitate sealing of the cuffs 22 and 24to the wrists or forearms 26 and 28 in a known fashion.

The tubular body 12 of the hand warmer 10 defines an internal region 32of a preselected size. The internal region 30 is sized to accommodatethe hands 34 and 36 of the user 30, along with a hand-held media device38, such as the illustrated cell phone or a personal digital assistant,music player, or a gaming device. The tubular body 12 is formed of oneor more layers of a fabric material which is deformable to allow readymanipulation of the media device 38 within the interior region 30. Inone embodiment, the tubular body 12 comprises an outer layer of windand/or water resistant material, an inner layer of fleece, and anintermediate layer of thermal insulation sandwiched between and bondedto the inner and outer layers. The material used for tubular body 12may, in one embodiment, be opaque. It is to be understood that otherlaminated and non-laminated constructions can be used for the tubularbody 12 which provide the desired protection for the user's hands 34 and36 and the media device 38 against cold temperatures and/or moisture.

In accordance with the present invention, the hand warmer 10 includes aviewing window 40 positioned to cover a cutout 42 positioned in thetubular body 12 at a central or other intermediate location between theopposite ends 14 and 16 of the tubular body 12. The viewing window 40comprises a layer of material which has sufficient transparency topermit the user 30 to view the interior region 32 through the viewingwindow 40. The material selected for the viewing window 40 should havesufficient strength to resist tearing or cracking. The material shouldalso be water resistant and provide sufficient thermal insulation toprotect the user's hands 34 and 36 from cold temperatures. The materialshould also possess optical properties which allow viewing of the mediadevice 38 without gross distortion. The material can be rigid orflexible and, if flexible, should have sufficient flexibility to permitdeformation even under cold weather conditions. Various types ofpolymeric materials are well-suited for use as the material comprisingthe viewing window 40. As but one example, the layer of material may beformed of 16 gauge vinyl and may be coated with an anti-foggingcomposition.

The size and shape of the viewing window 40 and cutout 42 can be variedto suit particular applications. For example, the viewing window 40 andcutout 42 can be sized to permit viewing of the entire media device 38or only a portion thereof.

The viewing window 40 is secured to the tubular body 12 in any suitablefashion which impedes the passage of cold air and/or moisture. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a perimeter of the viewing window 40can be sized slightly larger than the cutout 42 such that the perimeterof the viewing window 40 overlaps the perimeter of the cutout 42 and issandwiched between the layers of material forming the tubular body 12.The viewing window 40 is then sewn along its perimeter to secure it tothe tubular body 12. The viewing window 40 need not be permanent affixedto the tubular body 12 of the hand warmer 10, but can instead be securedin a manner which allows for removal and reattachment of the viewingwindow 10. For example, hook and loop fasteners secured along theperimeters of the viewing window 40 and cutout 42 allow the viewingwindow 40 to be removed and replaced if damaged or if the hand warmer 10is to be washed or otherwise subjected to processes that might damagethe viewing window 40. It will, of course, be appreciated that theviewing window 40 may be integrally formed with the tubular body 12 andneed not be a separate component which is physically attached to thetubular body 12. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of thepresent invention.

A grommet 44 may be positioned in the tubular body 12 to permit a cord46 of a headphone 48 to pass through the tubular body 12 for connectionto the media device 38. A belt 50 may also be attached to the tubularbody 12 to allow the hand warmer 10 to be worn about the waist of theuser 30.

Turning additionally to FIG. 3, the hand warmer 10 includes a pocket 52positioned within the interior region 32 to allow the media device 38 tobe stored when not in use. As shown in FIG. 5, an exterior closeablepouch 54 may also be provided in the tubular body 12 of the hand warmer10 to store other items such as headphones 48 or packets of chemicalhand warmers (not shown). A zipper 56 is used to open and close thepouch 54.

In use, the hand warmer 10 allows the user 30 to insert his or her hands34 and 36 and the media device 38 into the interior region 32 throughthe openings 18 and 20 at the opposite ends of the tubular body 12. Themedia device 38 may then be held in one or both of the user's hands 34and 36 and manipulated by viewing the media device 38 through theviewing window 40. When the media device 38 is not being used, it can beinserted into the pocket 52 where it can be readily accessed for reuse.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternate embodiment of the hand warmerformed as part of a pullover sweatshirt 100 is designated broadly by thenumeral 110. The same reference numerals preceded by the numeral “1” areused to reference like parts in the hand warmer 110 as are found in handwarmer 10. The hand warmer 110, similar to hand warmer 10, comprises atubular body 112 with opposite ends 114 and 116. Openings 118 and 120are formed at the opposite ends 114 and 116, respectively. Cuffs (notshown) similar to cuffs 22 and 24 may surround the openings 118 and 112.

A user 130 inserts his or her hands 134 and 136 through the openings 118and 120 into an interior region 132 formed by the tubular body 112. Amedia device 138 may be positioned within the interior region 132 bycarrying the media device 138 through one of the openings 118 and 120.

A viewing window 140 is positioned in overlying relationship to a cutout142 at an intermediate location in the tubular body 112 and allows theuser 130 to view and manipulate the media device 138 in the same mannerdescribed above. As can best be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the viewingwindow 140 and cutout include a hook and loop fastener 156 about theirperimeters which allows the viewing window 140 to be removed andreplaced as desired. The viewing window 140 and tubular body 112 can beformed of the same materials previously described with reference to handwarmer 10.

It can thus be appreciated that the hand warmers 10 and 110 protect theusers 30 and 130 and the media devices 38 and 138 from cold temperaturesand moisture while permitting the media devices 38 and 138 to beoperated in a normal fashion by the user.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objectives hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages that are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theinvention.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. A hand warmer comprising: a tubular body defining an interior regionand having spaced-apart openings for the insertion of hands of a userinto the interior region; and a viewing window in the tubular body at alocation intermediate the opposite ends.
 2. The hand warmer of claim 1,wherein the viewing window comprises a layer of material havingsufficient transparency to permit viewing into the interior region. 3.The hand warmer of claim 2, wherein said layer of material of saidviewing window comprises a flexible polymer material.
 4. The hand warmerof claim 3, wherein the tubular body comprises a fabric material.
 5. Thehand warmer of claim 4, wherein the tubular body has a cutout at saidlocation and said viewing window is positioned in overlayingrelationship to said cutout.
 6. The hand warmer of claim 5, wherein theviewing window has a perimeter portion and said cutout has a perimeterportion and including a fastener removable securing said perimeterportion of the viewing window to said perimeter portion of the cutout.7. The hand warmer of claim 6, wherein the fastener is a hook and loopfastener.
 8. The hand warmer of claim 5, wherein the viewing window hasa perimeter portion and said cutout has a perimeter portion and whereinsaid perimeter portion of the viewing window is secured to saidperimeter portion of the cutout.
 9. The hand warmer of claim 1,including cuffs positioned at said openings in the tubular body.
 10. Thehand warmer of claim 1, including a pocket attached to said tubular bodyin said interior region.
 11. The hand warmer of claim 1, including abelt attached to said tubular body.
 12. The hand warmer of claim 1,including a closeable pouch formed in said tubular body.
 13. The handwarmer of claim 12, wherein said closeable pouch includes a zipper foropening and closing said closeable pouch.
 14. A hand warmer comprising:a tubular body of opaque fabric material defining an interior region andhaving opposite ends with openings for the insertion of hands of a userinto the interior region; and a viewing window in the tubular body at alocation intermediate the opposite ends and comprising a layer offlexible polymer material having sufficient transparency to permitviewing into the interior region.
 15. The hand warmer of claim 14,wherein the tubular body has a cutout at said location and said viewingwindow is positioned in overlaying relationship to said cutout.
 16. Thehand warmer of claim 15, wherein the viewing window has a perimeterportion and said cutout has a perimeter portion and including a fastenerremovable securing said perimeter portion of the viewing window to saidperimeter portion of the cutout.
 17. The hand warmer of claim 16,wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.
 18. The hand warmer ofclaim 15, wherein the viewing window has a perimeter portion and saidcutout has a perimeter portion and wherein said perimeter portion of theviewing window is secured to said perimeter portion of the cutout. 19.The hand warmer of claim 14, including cuffs positioned at said openingsat the opposite ends of the tubular body.
 20. A hand warmer comprising:a tubular body of opaque, laminated fabric material defining an interiorregion and having opposite ends with openings for the insertion of handsof a user into the interior region; a cutout in said tubular bodyintermediate the opposite ends; and a viewing window overlaying saidcutout in the tubular body and comprising a layer of flexible polymermaterial having sufficient transparency to permit viewing into theinterior region.